The dramatic news in late 1944 was a call to immediate and decisive action
For Herman Hollander — a German Jewish refugee who became a Vaad Hatzalah activist — and his wife Grace, the dramatic news in late 1944 was a call to immediate and decisive action.
A window of opportunity had opened to ransom large numbers of Jews from Nazi captivity. Former Swiss politician Jean-Marie Musy, at the behest of Recha Sternbuch of St. Gallen, contacted an old acquaintance of his: SS chief Heinrich Himmler. An offer was relayed to deposit huge sums of money if Jews were released. These negotiations offered a glimmer of hope to save some of the remaining few thousands of Jews still living under Nazi occupation.
Serious doubt remained as to whether Himmler would keep his word, or whether the rescue funds would even be permitted to reach Axis territory. Nonetheless, the Hollanders could not pass up an opportunity to save lives! With a sense of alacrity, they sold their hard-earned, newly acquired Brooklyn abode, with the proceeds benefiting the life-saving work of the Vaad Hatzalah.
(Excerpted from My Life and What I Did With It by Herman Hollander)
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